As the economy worsens, the stakes are ever higher for consumers contending with a rise in food and utility prices, home foreclosures and gas-guzzling vehicles.

With budgets already stretched to the max, one growing consequence is that man is sometimes forced to give up his best friend.

It seems when the choice is between milk bones or rent, the landlord usually gets paid, and Fido fetches the short end of the stick.

Officials from several animal shelters, rescue and control outfits in the area said the number of pets abandoned has increased significantly over this time last year.

But the more astonishing trend...